LETTER: The Barnes report of 1989 strongly advocated a Bridgwater by-pass

First of all, can I thank the reporter for an excellent article, and for raising the profile of the issue. It is refreshing to see the Mercury in a campaigning mode.

What tickled me pink was the earlier statement that "WE got it wrong." He (ILG) took no part in it whatsoever. He was lobbied by the constituents and we tried to make it clear there would be traffic issues which has since been proven - and they haven't really started building yet.

The Barnes report of 1989 strongly advocated a Bridgwater by-pass and drafted several routes for consideration. The envisaged new power station at the time was a quarter of the current proposal.

All we have had from Électricité de France have been nods and smiles every time was mentioned. They knew we were on our own and they thought we were simple villagers, and they must have been well aware we were not going to get support. To EdeF our MP must be the dream ticket.

The cost to construct a Northern by-pass Dunball to Hinkley road by Cannington Grain would have been £90m according to EdeF's own figures, don't know where they got that sum from? If you look on Google Street view around Flamanville there is a beautiful purpose built road around the beach leading to the power station which avoids the village, and Flamanville incidentally is predominantly dedicated to EdeF in any case. So it's OK for the French in their own Country to make consideration for their own workers and families by building a roadway, however in the UK they try to get it done on the cheap.

Then there was the "assurances" from Électricité de France that the time scale in building the by-pass would delay the project by four years, and in the meantime the lights would go out! That was in 2009/2010, says it all really.

We have country roads, a town and villages in their way; plus holiday traffic and those residents who are part of the local fabric then have to endure the effects whilst they (EdeF) play with their Tonka Toys. A high proportion of the population in and around Bridgwater has no connection with EdeF, so are not stood to the side and applauding them as they blitzkrieg our area.

However, all is not lost, something could still be done in conjunction with the proposed Barrage and housing at Chilton Trinity etc. So ILG, how about actually engaging with your constituents and actually do something worthwhile and make a decent name for yourself?

Sadly won't materialise, all that does happen is us talking among ourselves.

Alex Reed,Cannington